Symphony Day

What Is Symphony Day?

December 6th is "Symphony Day" in Japan. On this date in 1914, the 14th concert of the Tokyo Philharmonic Society at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo featured the premiere of "Kachidoki to Heiwa" ("Triumph and Peace"), the first symphony ever composed by a Japanese composer, conducted by its composer, Kosaku Yamada, himself.

The Story Behind "Kachidoki to Heiwa"

Yamada composed the symphony in 1912 while studying in Berlin, Germany, as his graduation piece from the Berlin Hochschule für Musik.

• Completed: in Berlin on November 8, 1912
• The title's meaning: World War I broke out just before its premiere, which is said to have shaped the piece's title — at once bold and yearning for peace
• Premiere: on December 6, 1914, at Tokyo's Imperial Theatre, conducted by Yamada himself after his return to Japan

Who Was Kosaku Yamada?

Kosaku Yamada (1886-1965) was one of Japan's foremost composers and conductors. He composed numerous melodies that made full use of the natural inflections of the Japanese language, helped found the Japan Symphony Association (a forerunner of the NHK Symphony Orchestra), and made enormous contributions to the spread and development of Western music in Japan. He's also known for composing beloved children's songs, including "Akatonbo" ("Red Dragonfly"), still sung today.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Listen to one of Yamada's works, whether a symphony or a children's song
• Attend a classical concert or orchestral performance
• Learn about the history of how Western music was received in Japan
• Hum along to a familiar Yamada tune, like "Akatonbo"

A Wish for Peace, Sounding Through an Age of War

Premiered just as the world was plunging into war, "Kachidoki to Heiwa" may well have carried, alongside its boldness, an earnest wish for peace. Let December 6th be a day to listen closely to the musical history of one Japanese composer who took on the world.